Paper binding device



Aug. 9, 1966 M. STARK ETAL PAPER BINDING DEVI CE Filed April 13, 1964INVENTOR MAX STARK 04mg ./E/w/M//m rrQQ/VEV United States Patent3,265,073 PAPER BINDING DEVICE Max Stark, Apt. C, 735 Provential Drive,Anaheim, Calif., and Gayle W. Hasenplaugh, 200 N. Ladera Vista Drive,Fullerton, Calif.

Filed Apr. 13, 1964, Ser. No. 359,249 5 Claims. (Cl. 129--22) Thisinvention relates to a device for indexing, and more particularly tosuch a device for indexing sheets of material, which sheets have holesin them, for the purpose of facilitating the insertion of fasteningmeans through said holes.

In order to maintain sheets of paper in orderly tiles, it is necessaryto bind the sheets together. A 'widely used method of such binding is toprovide two or more holes in the sheet of paper along one edge thereofwith a binding means passing through the holes to accomplish itsfunction. A principal use for devices made in accordance with thepresent invention is indexing -for purposes of binding sheets of paperhaving, for example, two holes punched near one edge.

AV very popular binding means is what is sometimes called a stripfastener such as sold under the trademark ACCO. Such strip fasteners arestamped out of thin, easily bendable metal. The strip fastener has amidportion of a length approximately equal to the distance between thepunched holes with which the fastener is tol be used. Extending fromeither end of the mid-portion is an end portion which is somewhat morenarrow than the midportion. The end portions are bent at a 4right angleto the midportion and are received through lthe holes in the sheets ofpaper. Then, with the midportion on one side of a stack of papers, andthe fastener end portions projecting beyond the other side of the stackof papers, the projecting ends are bent at aright angle to hold thepapers together-with, or without, the assistance of a separate clampplate having slots through Which the projecting ends may extend beforethe bending operation.

A primary problem with the use of such strip fasteners is that it isdifiicult to rapidly index the holes of the paper so the fastener endportions may be inserted therethrough. Although the fastener may beplaced -on the table with the end portions upstanding, these portionsare easily bent since the fastener is so thin. Further, the end portionshave a Width approximately equal to the diameter of the hole in thepapers, and the thin edge of the end portion acts like a knife bladewhich cuts the paper if it is not properly indexed before the endportions are inserted therethrough.

Index devices for punched paper have been provided in the past. However,they are unsatisfactory for the modern strip fastener. Further, they aretoo costly to manufacture and difficult to use.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a major object of this invention toprovide an improved index device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device forindexing sheets of paper having holes therethrough, which device isadapted to guide said index sheets to la position where the end portionsof a strip fastener extend through said holes.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device forfacilitating the binding of sheets of thin material.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a low cost,easily manufactured device -for indexing sheets to facilitate bindingsaid sheets with a strip fastener.

Another object of this invention is to provide an index device which canbe quickly changed from an operative position to a position where it iscompact for storage f whenV not in use.

3,265,073 Patented August 9, 1966 "ice A further object of thisinvention is to provide an index device for facilitating binding withstrip fasteners, which device has a unique construction which provides aversatile unit with a low cost of manufacture.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent in thedetailed description below in conjunction with the attached drawingswherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment the inventionmight take;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the device shown inFIGURE 1 taken generally along the longitudinal axis of the base of thedevice;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View of the device in FIGUREl, but with the unit in condition for storing;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device taken along line 4-4 inFIGURE 2; and,

FIGURE 5 is an exploded View of a partial linger with its post base.

Referring now to the figures in more detail, the preferred embodiment ofthe invention has the capability to accommodate any spacing of the holeswhich are used for binding. Further, as will be pointed out below, thepreferred embodiment has the advantage that the posts which are used toindex the paper maybe rapidly moved lfrom their upstanding position to astorage position, and vice versa.

On the other hand, it should be remembered that most papers are punchedwith the holes spaced at one of several standard distances. Therefore, adevice wherein means is provided for mounting the index posts at any oneof the standard spacings, c g., holes in the base through which theindex posts extend, can accomplish the index function in most casesalthough its overall operation is less satisfactory than the presentlypreferred embodiment.

The device includes an elongated base, indicated generally by the arrow10, with first and second index posts, indicated generally by the arrows12, and 13, respectively, upstanding from the base. With the index posts12 and 13 in this position a plurality of punched sheets of vpaper maybe located over the upstanding index posts to form a stack such asindicated by the phantom lines 15.

Most of the time in use, the device is in a position with the basehorizontally disposed, e.g., on a table, with the index posts 12 and 13upstanding. Therefore, the device is described in this frame ofreference in order to simplify the description of the relation of thevarious elements of the device.

After the stack of sheets of paper have been located over the indexposts 12 and 13, a strip fastener with its end portion bent downwardly,is moved into a position at least partially enclosed by the index posts.To this end, each of the index posts 12 and 13 are formed with a thinslot adapted to receive an end portion of the strip fastener. Therefore,the index posts 12 and 13 support the end portions of the stripfastener. Further, the posts guide the stack of paper while the stack isbeing moved to a position where the end portions of the strip fastenerproject through the holes.

The thin slot in the index posts can ybe provided in different Ways.However, the preferredl manner of providing the thin slot in the indexpost 12 includes a partial nger 18 mounted on post base 19, and apartial finger 2li mounted on post ibase 21. In the juxtapositionedupstanding position shoWn in FIGURE 2 the two partial fingers 18 and 20coopenate together to present a post `of essentially roundcross-section, which post is tapered upwardly in order to facilitateinsertion through the holes in the papers.

The index post 13 similarly includes partial linger 22 mounted on postbase 23, and partial linger 24 mounted on post base 25. As in the caseof index post 12, the

partial fingers 22 and 24 are shaped to present a round cross-sectionand are tapered upwardly to facilitate insertion `of the resulting postthrough the holes of the sheets of paper.

With this arrangement the papers can be rapidly placed over theupstanding posts 12 and 13 until a stack of papers, indicated generallyby the arrow 26, is formed. Please note that in FIGURES Zand 4 the viewis of the edge of the stack 26 except at the area where the punchedholes are. In these last mentioned areas the stack 26 is illustrated asif a section line were taken through the center of the aligned holes topermit illustrating the posts in full lines.

As will be described in greater detail below, the partial lingers 18 and20 may be moved relative to each other for purposes of swinging thelingers to a storage position. The partial fingers 22 and 24 aresimilarly mounted. However, with the stack 26 of paper the partiallingers 18 and 20, as well as, the partial fingers 22 and 24 are held inthe juxtapositioned upstanding position as shown.

The post -bases 19 and 21 each project toward the other slightly beyondthe partial lingers 18 and 20 to hold the partial fingers slightly apartand thereby provide a thin slot 29 therebetween. Similarly, the postbases 23 and 25 cooperate to provide a thin slot 30 between the partialfingers 22 and 24. Therefore, a strip fastener 32 (with its end portions33 and 34 bent downwardly) may be moved to the position shown in FIGURE2 with the end portion 33 in theslot 29 and the end portion 34 in theslot 30. Note that if the end portions of the fastener are longer thanthe length of the partial lingers, the end portions may extend below the`bottom of the partial fingers.

With the strip fastener 32 in this position, the operator merely liftsthe stack 26 yof paper upwardly to the position shown by phantom line36. It will be noted how the index posts 12 and 13 guide the holes inthe sheets of paper around the end portions 33 and 34. When the stack 26of paper is in the position shown by the phantom line 36, the stack andstrip fastener 32 are removed. At that time, the projecting ends of theend portions 33 and 34 are bent to bind the stack together, either withor without a clamp plate, as previously described.

T-he preferred embodiment of the present invention has the advantagethat it is economical to manufacture and may be quickly interchangedfrom a storage condition to an operative condition. The portion of thepreferred form of the invention which provides this result will now bedescribed.

The partial linger 18 includes a linger portion 18a with an enlargedlower end 18h. A pair of stub axles 18C project from opposite sides ofthe lower end 18b and a projecting stop 18d is provided for a purpose tobe described.

Referring now to FIGURES 4 and 5, the post base 19 has a pair ofextending guide portions 19a each of which has a recess 19b in its lowerface to receive a stub axle 18C. As `can lbest be seen in FIGURE 5, thepost base 19 has a central relief 19C to receive the enlarged lower end18h, and the post base is recessed at 19d to accommodate the lower endof the linger portion 18a.

Referring back to the base 10, it preferably includes a pair ofparallel, but spaced, guide rails 41 and 42. The guide rail 41 isprovided with an upper lip 41a, as well as a lower rail portion 41bprojecting toward the guide rail 42. Similarly, the guide rail 42 has anupper lip portion 42a and a lower rail portion 42b projecting toward theguide rail 41.

It will be noted that the lower rail portions 41b and y42b projectinward sufiiciently that they hold the stub axles 18e in the recesses191) of the post base 19. Yet, when the partial linger 18 is spaced awayfrom the partial linger 20, the partial finger 18 may be swung about thestub `axles 18e from the upstanding position shown in FIGURE 2 ,(wherethe finger portion 18a engages the post base 19 at recess 19d) to aposition parallelrto the base 10 where the projecting stop 18d engagesthe lower face of the post base 19. This last described position is thesame as the position of partial lingers 22 and 24 in FIGURE 3.`

In the preferred embodiment, the four partial fingers 18, 20, 22 and 24,are identical and the post `bases 19, 21, 23 and 25 are identical.Therefore, partial linger 20 has a linger portion 20a which is ofsemi-circular cross-section as the linger portion 18a. Further, lowerend 2Gb has a pair of stub axles 20c projecting from opposite sides ofthe lower end at a right angle to the guide rails 41 and 42. Further, aprojecting stop 20d functions to limit the swing of the partial linger20 by engagement with the lower face of the post base 2l.

Partial linger 22 is likewise provided with a linger portion 22a, anenlarged lower end portion 22b, a pair of stub axles 22e, and aprojecting stub 22d. And, partial linger 24 includes a linger portion24a, an enlarged lower end 24b, a pair of stub axles 24C, and aprojecting stub 24d.

It will be apparent from the disclosed structure that the preferredembodiment is particularly well suited for economical manufacture inthat so many parts are identical. Further, it should be noted that whenend 44 of the base 10 is absent, the partial lingers and post -base maybe removed or inserted in the base 10. And, when the partial lingers areremoved from the base, the partial linger and t-he post fbase may beseparated. Conversely, each partial linger and post =base may -berapidly put together and inserted in the base where they are heldtogether for sliding lmovement along the base.

While only a few embodiments of my invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such isby way of illustration only and numerous changes can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.Therefore, it is our intention that the present invention be limitedsolely by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A paper binding device for indexing paper sheets for insertion of theends of a strip fastener through holes in said sheets, said devicecomprising: a horizontally disposed elongated base frame; two indexposts mounted on said base frame, each of said posts comprising:

a first and a separate second rigid partial linger, each partial lingerbeing mounted on said base for movement away from the other partialfinger, each of said partial lingers being swingable between anupstanding position and a position extending parallel to said basetoward the other partial linger, whereby said fingers may be moved froma juxtapositioned upstanding position apart from each other and swung toa position parallel to said base f-or storage, each partial finger beingshaped so that when it is upstanding part of its lower portion projectstoward the other partial linger more than its upper portion to provide athin slot adapted to receive an end of a strip fastener when the lowerportion parts are abutting, whereby said posts can be received through aplurality of sheets of paper having holes therein and an end of a stripfastener can be inserted in each slot, and said posts may guide saidsheets to a position wherein said strip fastener ends are receivedthrough said holes.

2..An index device for indexing paper sheets, each of which have holestherein, to facilitate insertion of a strip fastener to bind togetherthe sheets, said device comprismg:

a horizontally disposed elongated base with a pair of base guide railsextending longitudinally thereof; two index posts upstanding from saidframe and adapted to be received through holes in said sheets of paperplaced over them, said posts each having a thin slot adapted to receivean end of a strip fastener, one of said posts including:

a post base held by said guide rails for movement along said base;

6 two spaced index posts each upstanding from said frame along avertical post axis, each of said posts comprlsing:

a first and a separate second rigid partial finger a partial fingerupstanding from said post base 5 juxtapositi'oned to each other side byside, each and forming part of the upstanding index post, partial fingerhaving ia part connected thereto at said partial finger having a stubaxle projecting the lower end thereof abutting the other partial fromopposite sides thereof at a right angle to finger, said part of eachpartial finger projecting the guide rails, said post base having a pairof toward the other partial finger slightly more than recesses toreceive each of said stub axles, said 10 -the remainder of the partialfinger whereby the recess being associated with said guide rails toremainder of the partial fingers cooperate to hold said stub axles inplace in said recesses, form a thin slot adapted to receive an end of asaid post base being shaped and cooperating Strip fastener, each partialfinger being movable with its partial finger to limit the swing of saidto a location spaced substantially away from the partial finger betweenan upstanding position other partial finger, each partial finger beingand a horizontal position whereby the device movable to a positionextending parallel to the may be stored easily when not in use. framewhen moved to said location, each partial 3. An index device forindexing paper sheets, each of finger and said abutting part thereofco-acting which has holes therethrough, to facilitate insertion oftogether to maintain a partial finger in said upa strip fastener to bindtogether `the sheet, said device standing position when said parts areabutting, comprising, v whereby said partial fingers may be positioned ahorizontally disposed elongated base with a pair of extending parallelto said frame for storage and spaced guide rails extendinglongitudinally thereof; also provide a rigid upstanding post forindextwo index posts upstanding from said frame and ing paper sheetswhen juxtapositioned.

adapted to be received through holes in sheets of paper placed overthem, said posts each having a thin slot adapted to receive an end of astrip fastener, each of said posts including:

a pair of partial fingers juxtaposed to each other and mounted on a pairof post bases, each of which bases is held by said guide rails formovement along said base, each of said partial fingers having a stubaxle projecting from opposite sides thereof at a right angle to saidguide rails, each of said bases having a pair of recesses receiving 5.The device set forth in claim 4 wherein each said abutting part is aportion of a base connected at the lower end of the respective partialfinger, and means are provided on said frame for engaging andcooperating with said base for preventing the base from rotating aboutsaid post axis and holding by the force of friction between the base andthe last mentioned means on the frame said partial finger bases abuttingeach other.

References Cited by the Examiner said stub axles, said recesses beingassociated UNITED STATES PATENTS with said guide rails to hold said stubaxles in 2 l place in said recesses and permit said finger to @tgl lg-ZX swing about said stub axle, each said post base 1 643193 9/1927 B bk9- X being shaped and cooperating with its partial 18 18 am roo 'r21g-22 nger to limit the swing of its partial finger be- 4 94 1/1932Impey 129-8 X tween an upstanding position and a horizontal FOREIGNPATENTS position, whereby the device may be stored easily 112 384 H1918Great Brita. when not in use. in' 4. A paper binding device for indexingpaper sheets 436561 10/1935 Great Brtam for insertion of the ends of astrip fastener through holes 6992907 11/1953 Great Entamin said sheets,said device comprising:

a horizontally disposed elongated frame; JEROME SCHNALL, PmW Exmfnei

1. A PAPER BINDING DEVICE FOR INDEXING PAPER SHEETS FOR INSERTION OF THEENDS OF A STRIP FASTENER THROUGH HOLES IN SAID SHEETS, SAID DEVICECOMPRISING: A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED ELONGATED BASE FRAME; TWO INDEXPOSTS MOUNTED ON SAID BASE FRAME, EACH OF SAID POSTS COMPRISING: A FIRSTAND A SEPARATE SECOND RIGHT PARTIAL FINGER, EACH PARTIAL FINGER BEINGMOUNTED ON SAID BASE FOR MOVEMENT AWAY FROM THE OTHER PARTIAL FINGER,EACH OF SAID PARTIAL FINGERS BEING SWINGABLE BETWEEN AN UPSTANDINGPOSITION AND A POSITION EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID BASE TOWARD THE OTHERPARTIAL FINGER, WHEREBY SAID FINGERS MAY BE MOVED FROM A JUXTAPOSITIONEDUPSTANDING POSITION APART FROM EACH OTHER AND SWUNG TO A POSITIONPARALLEL TO SAID BASE FOR STORAGE, EACH PARTIAL FINGER BEING SHAPED SOTHAT WHEN IT IS UPSTANDING PART OF ITS LOWER PORTION